Rubber boot



0. P. H'URD. RUBBER BOOT.

- (No Model.)

Patented Nov. 14, 1893.

.NITED STATES PAIENT FFIGE.

OSOAR P. HURD, OF BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

RUBBVER BOOT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 508,619, dated November14, 1893. Application filed March 29.1893. Serial No. 468.105. (Nomodel.)

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Bin ghamton,in the countyof Broome and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in RubberBoots; and I do declare the following to be afull,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improvement in rubber boots, and my object isto provide a boot constructed so that when the foot-portion has beeninjured it can be substituted by a new one without renewing the body orleg.

To this end it consists generally stated, of a removable foot-portionarranged to be worn with the body or leg and capable of being removedand substituted by a new one, when worn out or injured.

It also consists of certain peculiarities of construction and design aswill be fully described hereinafter and embodiedin the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an articleembodying the essential features of my invention; Figure 1 represents aperspective view of my improved boot. Fig. 2 a view showing theremovable shoe detached. Fig.3 a longitudinal section of the completearrangement.

The reference lettera indicates the leg-portion of the boot, which isformed of a lining of felt orother warm materialb, mounted on abody-former of strong canvas 0, to the outer side of which is firmlyvulcanized or otherwise secured the rubber covering cl. The felt is nothowever absolutely. necessary, and if the boot is to be used in awarmclimate, may be dispensed with. This construction continues down to theshank Z of the boot, no heel being provided, and forward of this pointat the ball of the foot 6 and toe f, the boot is reduced or diminishedin thickness, thereby making this portion much lighter than theremainder. If so desired this construction may be varied in somerespects; the rubber and canvas being dispensed with entirely at e andf, or the rubberonly as will best suit the exigencies of the occasion,the object being in all cases to reduce the weight and thickness of thefoot-portion, and to give the foot more room and freedom while inaction, whereby walking is made much easier.

Formed in the upper portion of the part 6 and f of the boot, is asubstantially heartshaped ventilating patch g, consisting of a series ofperforations extending entirely through the felt whereby air is allowedto circulate through the boot and the foot prevented from becomingoverheated. It is not absolutely necessary that the ventilatingperforations'be located on the upper portion of the foot-portion, for itis evident that they could extend throughout the foot and be arranged inany convenient or fanciful form.

The reference letter h indicates the removable shoe-portion, which isconstructed of felt, canvas and rubber, and provided with a flexiblecontracted head 2' at its inner edge, which is designed to fit into thegroove j formed in the boot-body just below the ankle and at the lowerportion of the leg a. By this construction it will be seen that the shoehwill fit over the portions 6 and f of the boot-body and thoroughlyprotect the foot from the weather, the joint at the groovej being ofcourse, water-tight. The shoe 72, may if preferred, be formed of therubber alone, dispensing with the canvas and felt, or by dispensing withthe felt only and leaving the rubber and canvas. This feature of myinvention is immaterial.

Formed in the leg-portion a of the boot at remains uneffaced, suchfoot-portion may be 5 removed and a new one substituted, or if the legor body should be injured that a new one can be used in conjunction withthe old footportion.

Having thus described my invention, what I shank Z, the portions e and freduced in Weight, and the shoe h, the boot having formed in it at thelower portion of the leg at, a groove, and a contracting flexible beadon the shoe h [5 arranged to fit into the groove, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR P. HURD. Witnesses:

MAURICE E. PAGE, J. N. PIERGY.

